Hakim Callier has been using mobile moviemaking, original music and Instagram to tell other gritty and compassionate entrepreneurs that: It’s okay to be vulnerable, caring and helpful to others but still have abundance in this world on your own terms — you just gotta become a romantic fool.

Since I've been in Portland, I've heard many of our family and friends talk about Bridgit's white bean chili. So I wanted to make a video to help everyone make it for themselves at their own home. That's right folks here is the recipe for, Bridgit's Beautiful White Chili 🌶 enjoy 😋 #WeCouldBeRomanticFools Preparation time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Serves: 4 to 6 Ingredients: 4 cans organic white beans (small) 1 pound ground/diced chicken 2 green chiles (diced) 1 Lime (topping) 1 cup of favorite salsa 1 tomato (chopped) or 1 cup shredded cheddar 2 tablespoons of coconut oil 1/2 bunch of cilantro (minced) 1/2 sweet onion or red onion (diced) salt, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder & ground chili powder, Crystal Hot Sauce or Sriracha Directions: Heat heavy-bottomed pot medium-high, sauté onions in oil, then add and start to brown ground chicken. Next add tomatoes and chiles. When chicken starts to brown add 2 teaspoons sea salt (or to taste); approx. 4 bold dashes of cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder and ground chili powder. cook over medium-low heat until. Then add rinsed white beans and 2 cups of water, let simmer on med-low to low for 10 – 15 minutes or until a thick soup-like consistency. Finally, top it with cilantro, shredded cheese, lime, hot sauce and serve.

A video posted by HΛКłM (@hakimcallier) on Oct 26, 2016 at 2:58pm PDT

 

MMM: What got you interested in making Instagram movies?

HAKIM: I’ve been working with Instagram since they launched the app in 2010. But I didn’t start making videos until 2014. At the time, I was working in New York City as a record producer at Flux Studios in the downtown neighborhood of the East Village. However, I wasn’t thinking of it in the same way I do now; now I think of Instagram differently. Now, I think of everything differently; diving head first into self-work and struggling through shame and self-worth will do that to you.

So when my perspective on own value as a person changed so did my value as an artist and the art I’d come to produce also became more valuable. Which also meant those interested in my art and the means to which I present my art products to that group were also more valuable to me.

Ultimately, it became a paradigm shift in my whole perspective that hit me like a flash of lighting after a series of ups and downs in the record industry.

MMM:  Can you talk about the significance of the Instagram runtime limits?

HAKIM: Well, early in 2016, Instagram changed the runtime limit from 15 to 60 second videos. So my videos tell a story in less than a minute. Similarly, in the record business, we often focus on capturing your attention in the first 5 to 15 seconds of a song and its something I’ve got a lot of practice with. So I think 60 seconds is more than enough time for you to tell your story with modern day mobile filmmaking products like, FiLMiC PRO’s HD mobile camera app and Moondog Labs’ anamorphic adapter lens. I use them both regularly for my work on Instagram.

MMM: How would you classify your videos?

HAKIM: Micro-films. That’s how I think of my Instagram videos. The series #WeCouldBeRomanticFools is a romantic comedy with television sitcom styled camerawork and #TellTheTruthHakim is a black and white musical drama with powerful R&B storytelling.

MMM: What inspired “Romantic Fool”?

HAKIM: The desire to be fulfilled as a lover, parent and an artist. I had to become vulnerable enough to tear down mental and emotional walls I’d built in order to transform my life to something more beautiful to me. Then simultaneously turn that new life into art. This made my art more important to me and if it was more important to me, perhaps it would be important to someone else. The first connection was Created By Etan, my friend and a creative genius whose thought process is counter intuitive. He helped me frame the project so that my real life felt like art. Likewise, another friend Mike Tanzer and his company Red Tape X, helped me deliver my art, through expert digital solutions, to the people who think it’s important.

MMM: You seem to favor producing series rather than standalone pieces.

HAKIM: On one hand, R&B Storytelling is how I write my scripted musical drama, #TellTheTruthHakim, which is number 9 of an 11 part series. On the other hand, #WeCouldBeRomanticFools, a romantic comedy is an unscripted reality-based videos series similar to reality-tv episodes, just shorter and only on Instagram.

MMM: What elements go into a well-made Instagram video?

HAKIM: I have to think of this differently than I might have a year ago. Things like camera work, soundtrack and lighting are only as important as they are to you, the artist. The real question is: Does the story make a connection and does the video, aesthetic and platform connect the story to an audience that cares?

MMM: What gear do you use?

HAKIM: iPhone 6s and a Macbook Pro.

MMM: What about editing software?

HAKIM: I have my recommendations that I usually suggest to the group. But anything that can edit video and manipulate sound works just fine.

MMM: Can you tell us about a project that you’re working on?

HAKIM: Yes. “Romantic Fool” is a romantic musical comedy-drama where I’m experimenting with micro-films publicly on Instagram and other content privately in a small group of gritty and compassion artist entrepreneurs that call themselves, romantic fools.

MMM: What do you see as the future of Instagram moviemaking?

HAKIM: I don’t know what the future of Instagram is because its a business and businessmen and women run their businesses so that they make money. That being said, I couldn’t look at Instagram as a way to connect my art to people who care UNTIL I started to think differently about myself, my art, my audience and the means that my art is delivered to you. Instagram is the “means” in that example, which I’d compare to owning a branded television network and broadcasting live and recorded programing from the palm of your hand, whenever you want.

MMM: Are there any filmmakers who influenced you?

HAKIM: Yes. There are filmmakers like Steve McQueen and others who I think are amazing and inspiring. But I’m not educated in filmmaking, nor am I an expert in mobile filmmaking. I do however, feel I’m a talented artist; and with tools that nearly anyone can buy, an iPhone and Macbook, I’m able to use my talent to create an engaging and exciting art project that’s a complete demonstration of my talent.

MMM: How can we keep up with your work?

HAKIM: If you want to watch my micro-films you can follow me on Instagram, www.instagram.com/hakimcallier. Otherwise sign-up with the group at www.hakimcallier.nyc.